‘Shocking’ Scale of Catholic Church Sex Crimes Revealed

Furness, right, said many abused children suffered during their adult lives [Jeremy Piper/EPA]

About seven percent of Catholic priests in Australia were accused of sexually abusing children between 1950 and 2010, but few allegations were investigated, an inquiry in Sydney has heard.

The scathing figures, released as hearings began on Monday over the allegations dating back decades, were compiled with the cooperation of the church as part of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.